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Simeone braced for determined Deportivo

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has warned his players to expect a tough test from Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.

While Atletico may sit 14 spots above Deportivo in La Liga with a 37-point gap, Simeone has claimed he is wary of the relegation-threatened club, who have not lost in six matches in Spain's top tier.

Deportivo are one point clear of La Liga's relegation zone with five matches remaining this season and Simeone expects Atletico's hosts to fight for everything at the Estadio Municipal de Riazor on Saturday.

"The results they are getting have made them more confident, that's for sure," Simeone said.

"They are a good team, they play the ball really well specially attacking.

"Bruno Gama, Riki and (Juan Carlos) Valeron are their best attacking players, Pizzi is very important too specially on set pieces.

"Overall they are on a great run."

Atletico lost 2-1 to local rivals Real Madrid last week, leaving them six points behind their neighbours.

But Simeone has argued that result should have little bearing on his side's upcoming Copa del Rey final against Real, claiming they have rarely discussed the cup decider, which will be held on May 17.

"We haven't talked that much about the match (the Copa del Rey final), we are just focusing on the next one, that's the important one now as it's the one that matters for our main target which is to qualify for Champions League," he said.